Jietai is the Japanese term for the country’s Self-Defense Forces, and the competition seeks its champion from among the ranks of the Ground, Maritime, and Air branches of the JSDF. From among 120 entries, 15 finalists from each branch will compete in the age 18-39 division, with an additional 15 finalists in total for the 40-and-up Master Class, which is a new addition to the program for this year.

▼ 2017 Grand Champion Mitsuyoshi Mori

▼ Highlights of the 2017 event

This year’s finals will take place on July 16 at Club Diana in Tokyo’s upscale Yurakucho neighborhood. Contestants’ scores will be determined by a panel of four judges and evaluations from the audience, who will be asked to consider each finalist’s physique, health, intelligence, poise, and integrity. And yes, the contestants will be asked to salute as part of their required posing.

Organizers say they have two goals for the contest, the first being to provide a little extra physical fitness motivation for the members of the JSDF, and the second to allow civilians to “experience the muscles” of Self-Defense Forces personnel.

And while there can be only one winner in each of the two categories, multiple muscled men from the competition will be featured in the 2018 Jietai Best Body Calendar.

Organizers say spectator ticket information is forthcoming here on the Jietai Club website. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re suddenly feeling like we should hit the gym.